95% of the time I'm Crappie fishing ... I'm casting a jig. 95% of that time ... I'm using a weedless jighead (Y guard - brush style - single fiber style). 99% of the time that I'm using a weedless jighead, and "see" the bite (see line movement), I stick the hook into the upper palate of the fish when I set the hook. 99.9% of that time ... I land the fish.

So ... as far as "me" answering your questions --- they hook up just fine & penetrate just fine.

Bronson has a point ... as the picture seems to indicate that the guard is a little off angle (should be a bit closer to the hook point).

Now, I'm using 4lb test mono ... on UL to IM8 rods ... and I don't use a wimpy hookset !! I, also, throw my jigs into blowdowns, brushpiles, standing trees, under docks, against bridge pillings, over rock piles, and anywhere else I think a Crappie might be hiding ... and usually get the jig back (approx 98% of the time). I could not/would not be able to do that with a open hook jig (been there, done that).

... cp